Friday, March 16, 2007

Pineapple Chaatni/Chutney

I have been waiting to see "The NameSake" (author Jhumpa Lahiri)but now they say it released only in select theaters and none of the theaters in my area belong to this elite group. So I have to wait I guess till it’s on DVD. I have read the book and liked it immensely. I admit that "The Interpreter of Maladies" was better, the short stories more crisp and succinct but I like this one for a whole different reason. I like it because of the oneness I feel with Ashima. The book narrates the story of a young Bengali immigrant couple (Ashoke & Ashima) who immigrate to Boston for higher studies in the early 70's and then the story deals with their settling down in the US, the kids growing up here and with everything that an South East Asian Immigrant has to deal with emotionally

It’s been 3 decades since Ashoke & Ashima made their journey and USA has changed a lot since, for one it’s more open to Asian and South Asian people and culture. Specifically the state I am in is almost like the 29th Indian state ripped apart and placed in the wrong continent, ok almost. I don't have to mix Rice Krispies with peanuts, chili and mustard Oil like Ashima, I get Muri/Mamra and I can get a closer cousin to JhalMuri than she could (not like the JhalMuri in the Kolkata Local Train but close). And Yet I feel the oneness the closeness with Ashima, if she was my neighbor we would be best friends maybe.

Like her I am apprehensive to raise my daughter in a country I still don't know much about.
I have a gnawing fear of the day she might stop responding to me in Bangla, and her accent will be difficult for me to follow (Bangla or Bengali is the language we speak at home, no English there).
I am deep down worried that she will look forward to Christmas more than she will ever do to Durga Puja, a festival close to my hearts, a festival we would wait for with fervor as soon as Summers heat mellowed down.
I don't know how I will explain to her how I with my friends, wearing our Ma's yellow saree, would go puja hopping on the morning of Saraswati Pujo from one school to other as she goes around for "Trick or Treat" on Halloween.
I am at a loss thinking what should I tell my daughter when she goes to her first prom, I have nothing, no experience to share with her. There are so many questions I need to get an answer to before I can even explain to my daughter as she grows up here.

I guess I will figure out like Ashima did and she will too like Gogol.

But even though it has been 3 decades there are some things in the book so true about the bengali immigrant community that I can easily identify with it.

As I was re reading the book, the "Pineapple Chutney" struck me and that what it is going to be for this Sundays Lunch where couple of our friends are coming over I thought. Perfect for AFAM and perfect for a Bengali Lunch

For Maheshwari the gracious hostess of AFAM at Beyond The Usual, I prepared this in a small qauntity yesterday and its extremely easy and quick to prepare. Sweet, a bit spicy and rich yellow in colour this chaatni/chutney is perfect to complement any lunch or dinner menu

Heat Oil in Kadhai/Frying PanAdd mustard seeds and dry red chillies. Cover if you are afraid of mustard seeds dancing aroundWhen the seeds pop add the ginger .Add the crushed pineapple If using fresh pineapple add them instead of the canned.Add salt and sprinkle turmeric powder.Saute the pineapple for 4-5 minutes and then add about 1 cup of warm water.Also add juice of a quarter of a lime.Cook the pineapple pieces for 5-6 minutes and then add sugar. Cover and cook till pineapple pieces have softened. This will happen very quick for the canned one. For the fresh this will take about 40-45 minutes.Sprinkle a pinch of bhaja masla to finish

The movie review for The NameSake from SepiaMutiny -- Read the comments too, very interesting

Trivia:The Spanish explorers thought pineapple looked like a pine cone, so they called it "pina." The English added "apple" to associate it with juicy delectable fruits. South American Indians had a name for pineapple meaning "fragrant excellent fruit," which became the basis for its botanical name: ananas.(Source:here)

35 comments:

I am cooking pineapple a lot these days and just love the taste of any dish with pineapple. I think this is the chutney my friend was asking me from many days. I will try this soon. Thanks for sharing.

chatni toh achcha hi hai - but Im more interested in Namesake, its releasing next week in Bombay and I cant wait to catch the movie...I loved the book, felt totally involved in Ashok's and Ashima's lives...It's on my MUST SEE NO MATTER WHAT list!

What an interesting chutney, something for me to try....and I liked that you can use canned pineapples...can be made in a jiffy.

I am looking forward to watching 'The Namesake" Tabu fits the role perfectly, I have always liked her...and story is so close to home, for many.I had been trying to comment on your Haldi post, but couldn't last night. I love the pickled turmeric,both the yellow and orange kind....I used to eat it a lot when I was pregnant.

u know ever since i started following ur blog i keep thinking of that movie and what a coincidence! i feel apprehensive too abt staying here but seeing my friends kids slowing growing with one foot in each boat, i guess it will be ok.

Hi Sandeepa, pineapple chutney recipe is perfect for me..i am sure I will like this, thanks a lot for sharing this. Looks like many are waiting for The Namesake...dont break ur head too much worrying about a future which none of us have any idea about, lets just hope that ur daughter will have strong value systems imbibed by then to appreciate her roots too !

Watched Namesake. Its a must watch, I would say. As I would say it is the story of every probashi Bong. However, on my recent to visit ot Kali Mandir for pujo last year, I saw all the kids who grew up in this country attended it. I somehow always feel, bongs try to imbibe their kids with the culture more than anyone and the kids atleast learn a part of it.

looks like many of us waiting for namesake. well, i dont have a kid, so not gonna think much abt it. i have decided to take things as they come. donno if this theory is gonna fit for long. looking @my cousins kids, just hopeing for the best i guess:)

NanditaYeah do see it. It's weird here in "my gaon" its not releasing yet :)

MTGood idea..with Paratha. Somehow we laways end up serving it with lunch or dinner

TruptiJiffy ...is right. Pop the can and done

AshaWith sandwiches too..thats a nice idea, never thought of it

IndoShouldn't I have added sugar ? The can of "Crushed Pineapple" had no added sugar and pineapple is sweet but the kind of chaatni/chutney Bengalis have has to be on the sweet side. Try without the sugar if you wish :)

ShaheenHee, hee that's funny. You are right kids do grow up right. But when I read the Book I see there are many things that Gogol(the son) doesn't like, he doesn't rebel or anything but I feel he is just that tad bit uncomfortable with his dual culture. It must be tough for the kids too

Mishmash!, Pilgrim, Supriya

Thanks and its not so much about the value system...its just that there will be things dear to me which I won't be able to share with her. But then I guess by then even india will not be the sepia toned pic I have of it. Globalisation hits everyone

Hi Sandeepa, I've heard a lot about The Namesake but haven't gotten round to reading it and already the film is out?! Being an immigrant and a parent like you, too, I can relate to some of your "fears"..

Well, your urge to cook pineapple chutney sounds like my urge for dhansak! ;-) Did you already know how to make pineapple chutney or did the book make you go look for a recipe?

My wife is into her 2nd month of pregnency and somehow I have turned into the master of the kitchen for the time being. I stumbled into your blog some days back and find your cooking guidelines so matching my ma that I have stopped calling her up when I am confused with anything. I tried a lot of your dishes. My wife is veg and thus I cook one veg and one non veg dish almost daily. She being in the state she is likes lots of spicy and chaotpot dishes.

Some people find cooking a tough job but seeing my ma and then reading your receipes I am really enjoying my cooking.

Thank you for all the help. I am going to make Ilish with begun for tomorrow's lunch.

Sandeepa, I simply loved reading Namesake, is one of my all time favourites...can reread it anytime.

And you are right, sometimes I too feel the same when my daughter questions me about my childhood...although she is still young, having dad only five springs so far, I can't help but question myself at times as to how I'll deal with all the intricasies of growing up...and after her, my son will soon follow suit...I wonder if I'll be able to relate to their emotional turbulances, having grown up in an entirely different environment...oh dear, I better stop thinking about all that...makes me sort of nervous...lets take one thing at a time

PRWish you and your wife all the best. If you stop by, the latest post is for her.Ami o kal Ilish Begun baniyechilam kintu chobi tola hoyni :( How did yours come out

SunitaYeah shall cross the bridge when we come to it

MandiraTomar banner ta shundor hoyeche

Dilip, Coffee, SailajaNice to know this is new for you guys. This is avery common chutney in Bengal but back home done with fresh pineapple thinly sliced

SharmiThanks

MusicalWelcome to my blog

@I am totally with you when you say you feel for Gogol. But I guess he was too hyper about the name thing. My daughter has 3-4 names, a pet name, a good name and many more that her Nani, Dadi call her. Hope she doesn't crib :)

At the outset let me tell you, you have got a flare for writing! I am yet to try any of your recipes, but I confess I have loved reading your ramblings.

One more thing, I literally love Lahiri's way of writing. Have read Name Sake and Interpreter of Maladies... I like to reread the short stories...

Am a born vegetarian, so I am delighted that you have quite a 'khazana' of vegetarian dishes too. I will definitely try Pineapple chutney and let you know!

I have a blog where I generally ramble, and it is more like a personal blogs visited by friends, you might like to peek and see if you like it around there. Am thinking of a food blog too. But it really seems lot of hard work!

Thanks for the measurement of aloo posto. Will try it soon. First listen to my pineapple chutney account! I tried it today. I had bought sliced pineapples instead of crushed and this is the begining!! I thought it wouldn't matter as I could chop it into small chunks. I should have asked you. I had to simmer it for a long long time, which I think was a misatke now. I finally gave up and took the mixer out. I will have my Bong friends try it tomorow and let me know if it is good at all!

VidwataYou don't need the mixer. In India we do it with pineapple slices, just cut it into very small thin pieces. Only difference is with crushed the process is faster, but with slices you have to simmer for longBut you have to slice them up pretty thin

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Predominantly a Bong, who loves being a Mom and loves to cook among other things for the li'l one and the big ones.She loves to write too and you will find her food spiced up with stories. Mainly a collection of Bengali Recipes with other kinds thrown in, in good measure. A Snapshot of Bengali Cuisine